Harmon Eugene Rice, age 89, son of Luther and Ida Neal Rice was born Jan. 26, 1919, at Turley, Mo. He passed away on Sept. 28, 2008, in Rolla Manor Care, Rolla, Mo.
He grew up in the Turley area, where he and his brothers and sisters walked miles to school at Mill Creek. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. A veteran of World War II, he entered the U.S. Army on March 4, 1941, and served in both Africa and India before being honorably discharged on Feb. 2, 1946.
After returning from his tour of duty in the Army, he raised beef cattle in the Plato, Mo., area and worked in the maintenance section for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) at Fort Leonard Wood for several years. He had been involved in carpentry while in the Army and continued to work at carpentry and remodeling jobs as a civilian. He and his wife, the former Betty Frey, whom he married on Feb. 4, 1954, at Bendavis, Mo., raised a huge garden every year for more than 40 years.
An enjoyable pastime was reading western novels, and he was a frequent visitor to the county library, checking out an armload of books each time. He also loved watching old detective and mystery shows on TV.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Maurice and Neal; and one sister, Nina Welch.
Survivors include his wife, Betty of Plato; a son, Dallas Rice of Roby, Mo.; a daughter, Deann and husband, Daniel Heye of Rolla, Mo.; one brother, Harry Rice of Richland, Wash.; one sister, Lela Sheppard of Auburn, Wash., one grandchild, Greg Thompson; and many other relatives and friends.
Harmon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Memorials may be made to Number One Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to www.evansfh.com
Services are 11 a.m. Thursday Oct. 2, in Evans Funeral Home. Mr. Vince Szymkowiak will officiate with burial in Number One Cemetery at Plato. Pallbearers are Jim Dunkel, Levi Lange, Jim McGuire, Robert Lange, Ralph McComas and Wayne Whitworth; honorary pallbearers are Herb Lindsay and Leroy Swetnam.
PAID